English 6–12
For Testing until 12/31/2023

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Annotated Bibliography

The annotated bibliography that follows includes basic references that you may find useful in preparing for the exam. Each resource is linked to the competencies and skills found in Section 3 of this guide.

This bibliography is representative of the most important and most comprehensive texts pertaining to the competencies and skills. The Florida Department of Education does not endorse these references as the only appropriate sources for review; many comparable texts currently used in teacher preparation programs also cover the competencies and skills that are tested on the exam.

  1. Baugh, L.S. (2005). Essentials of English grammar (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Contains general usage rules for parts of speech, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviations, numbers, word division, spelling, and commonly confused words. Also includes style guidelines with tips on how to write with economy, clarity, and accuracy. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 6.

  2. Baym, N., ed. (2008). The Norton anthology of American literature (7th ed.). New York: W.W. Norton & Co.

    Provides a variety of works and thorough editorial analysis of the works. Useful for review of competencies 3 and 4.

  3. Benjamin, A. (2008). Formative assessment for English language arts: A guide for middle and high school teachers. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.

    Explores the uses and advantages for applying formative assessments in the classroom. Useful for review of competencies 1-5.

  4. Bloom, L.Z. (2004). The essay connection (7th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

    Collection of rhetorically arranged essays by professional and student writers. Stimulates critical thinking on ethical, social, and political issues. Useful for review of competency 2.

  5. Brozo, W.G. (1995). Readers, teachers, learners: Expanding literacy in secondary schools (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Merrill/Prentice Hall.

    Presents scenarios of real classrooms to show future teachers how to use language-based strategies to transform uninspired students into active learners. Useful for review of competency 4.

  6. Burke, J. (2008). The English teacher's companion (3rd ed.). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann Boynton/Cook.

    Offers foundational advice for teaching literature; nurturing reading, writing, and thinking skills; and organizing for success. Includes up-to-date information on teaching media literacy and AP classes. Useful for review of all competencies.

  7. Bushman, J.H., & Haas, K.P. (2006). Using young adult literature in the English classroom (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

    Provides future middle and high school educators with guidance to choose adolescent literature and to develop instructional ideas. Useful for review of competency 1.

  8. Dube, A., Franson, J.K., Parins, J.W., & Murphy, R.E. (1983). Structure and meaning: An introduction to literature. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

    Supplies a comprehensive introductory study of fiction, poetry, and drama for the student of literature. Useful for review of competency 2.

  9. Eggers, P. (2007). Steps for writers: Composing essays (vol. 2). New York: Pearson/Longman.

    Discusses the basics of composing solid paragraphs and essays in preparation for freshman composition. Covers finding one's own writing process, writing essays based on one's own experience and perceptions, and writing essays involving texts and research. Emphasizes grammar, proofreading, and peer review. Useful for review of competencies 2, 4, and 6.

  10. Finders, M.J., & Hynds, S. (2007). Language arts and literacy in the middle grades: Planning, teaching, and assessing learning (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill/Prentice Hall.

    Addresses language arts and literacy in the middle grades by presenting authentic cases and classroom examples while examining research and theory-based approaches to teaching literacy in the middle school classroom. Useful for review of competencies 1-5.

  11. Galda, L., & Graves, M.F. (2007). Reading and responding in the middle grades: Approaches for all classrooms. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

    Focuses on practical, research-based approaches teachers can use to help their students hone their reading abilities, learn from what they read, and become competent in responding to sophisticated narrative and expository texts. Useful for review of competencies 1, 3, and 4.

  12. Gates, Jr., H.L., & McKay, N.Y. (2004). The Norton anthology of African American literature (2nd ed.). New York: W.W. Norton & Co.

    An anthology of the work of 120 writers spanning two centuries covering a variety of genres and medias. Useful for review of competency 1.

  13. Glazer, S.M. (1998). Assessment is instruction. Norwood, MA: Christopher-Gordon.

    Addresses the merging of literacy assessment and instruction in classrooms. Includes an annotated bibliography of literature for developing readers and writers and a glossary of terms for diverse learners. Contains checklists of behaviors characteristic of learning problems and of skills associated with reading and the language arts. Useful for review of all competencies.

  14. Graves, M.F. (2006). The vocabulary book: Learning and instruction. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Offers a comprehensive plan for broad vocabulary instruction to instruct students with varying vocabulary abilities. Useful for review of competency 3.

  15. Gunning, T.G. (2004). Creating literacy instruction for all students grades 4 to 8. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

    Gives teachers strategies and sample step-by-step lesson plans for constructing lively, effective reading and writing instruction for all students. Useful for review of competencies 1-3.

  16. Irvin, J.L. (1998). Reading and the middle school student: Strategies to enhance literacy (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

    Addresses the issues that affect middle school students and teachers including their experiences with literacy instruction. Useful for review of competency 1.

  17. James, M., & Merickel, A.P. (2011). Reading literature and writing argument (4th ed.). Boston: Longman.

    Provides multi-genre reading experiences designed to immerse students in critical and creative thinking as they address problems and issues from multiple perspectives. Useful for review of competencies 2 and 6.

  18. Karchmer, R., Mallette, M., Kara-Soteriou, J., & Leu, D. (Eds.). (2005). Innovative approaches to literacy education. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

    Presents instructional possibilities for schools and districts and new ways for teachers to view their work. Useful for review of all competencies.

  19. Kennedy, X.J., & Gioia, D. (2007). Literature: An introduction to fiction, poetry, drama, and writing (10th ed.). New York: Pearson Longman.

    An introductory anthology containing engaging insights into reading and writing about stories, poems, and plays. Useful for review of competencies 1-3, and 6.

  20. Kinsella, K., Feldman, K., & Stump, C. (2007). Prentice Hall literature, the American experience. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

    Combines literature analysis with reading skills for 11th graders. Useful for review of competencies 1, 3, and 4.

  21. Kinsella, K., Feldman, K., & Stump, C. (2007). Prentice Hall literature, the British tradition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

    Combines literature analysis with reading skills for 12th graders. Useful for review of competencies 1, 3, and 4.

  22. Lunsford, A.A. (2007). The everyday writer (4th ed.). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

    Addresses strategies that can aid teachers in guiding students through every writing situation. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 6.

  23. Maxwell, R.J., & Meiser, M.J. (2005). Teaching English in middle and secondary schools (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill/Prentice Hall.

    Provides sample lessons, classroom ideas, and instructional strategies to give teachers opportunities to explore how theory and research relates to practice. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 4.

  24. Meyer, M. (2008). The Bedford introduction to literature (8th ed.). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

    Presents literature that is useful for the teaching and learning needs of all literature classrooms. Includes editorial commentary to help with reading, appreciating, and writing about literature. Useful for review of competency 4.

  25. Miller, Jr., J.E., Hayden, R., & O’Neal, R. (1973). The United States in literature: Glass menagerie edition. Glenview, IL: Scott, Foresman and Co.

    Traces the development of American literature from 1500 to the present. Useful for review of competency 2.

  26. National Council of Teachers of English (1995). Teaching literature in high school: The novel. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English.

    A collection of brief lesson plans. Useful for review of competencies 2-4.

  27. O’Grady, W., Archibald, J., & Katamba, F. (2011). Contemporary linguistics: An introduction (2nd ed.). Harlow, UK: Longman.

    An introduction to the fundamentals of linguistics, balancing engaging aspects of language study with solid coverage of the basics. Useful for review of competency 1.

  28. Probst, R.E. (2004). Response and analysis: Teaching literature in secondary school (2nd ed.). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

    Encourages teachers to use the power of student-driven interpretation and analysis. Focuses on curriculum that initiates interpretative and critical conversations while exposing students to a variety of genres. Useful for review of competencies 3 and 4.

  29. Raimes, A. (2005) Keys for writers (4th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

    Offers complete coverage of grammar, writing, research, and documentation processes. Useful for review of competencies 1-3.

  30. Royster, J.J., & Lester, M. (1996). Writer’s choice: Grammar and composition. New York: Glencoe/McGraw Hill.

    Provides practice in the use of clauses, modifiers, and tenses for more effective writing. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 2.

  31. Unrau, N. (2008). Content area reading and writing: Fostering literacies in middle and high school cultures (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

    Presents a diagnostic perspective on teaching and helps teachers see how each student’s culture, background, and prior knowledge informs his or her learning and suggests a best practice for each individual learner. Useful for review of competency 2.

  32. Vacca, R.T., Vacca, J.A.L., & Mraz, M. (2011). Content area reading: Literacy and learning across the curriculum (10th ed.). Boston: Pearson.

    Features real-world examples and research-based practices to aid teachers in the exploration of content literacy for all learners. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 2.

  33. Warriner, J.E., & Griffith, F. (1973). Warriner’s English grammar and composition complete course. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

    Emphasizes composition skills and writing techniques using models aimed at high school students. Useful for review of competency 2.

 


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